Cambridgeshire must be “more aggressive” in demanding further devolved powers and funding from central government.

Lord Heseltine was in Cambridge on Thursday (October 12) to give a talk for the Greater Cambridge Partnership on how the city and wider region could maximise its economic potential.

He called on local politicians to be “more aggressive” in demanding more devolved powers from central government and said they needed to push harder to get more funding to support local businesses.

He also suggested there were too many layers of local government in Cambridgeshire, and that there should be a simpler, more accountable body to act as a “vehicle” for government investment.

Lord Heseltine said: “We must create the most effective arrangement to encourage the success of the city and to provide a vehicle through which the government can devolve more money and power to local people.

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There is a spider’s web of local councils and organisations in Cambridgeshire

“I have a thought that it is quite obvious there is a spider’s web of local councils and organisations in Cambridgeshire that lacks clear accountability, and doesn’t have one person clearly in charge who is democratically elected by the people, and who is accountable to the people.

“All these different organisations and additions to local authorities cause confusion. It does not facilitate devolution from the government.

"I think there should be a deal for the whole of Cambridgeshire. It is a phenomenally successful economy, but it could be doing better.

Could Brexit be cancelled?

“There is a large interrelationship between this and looking at the economy and better transport infrastructure.”

Lord Hesletine also said Brexit could be “disastrous”, but said there was a real possibility it would be “cancelled”.

“I feel the best thing to do would be to cancel Brexit,” he said. “I think it is a possible outcome.

“It is the most disastrous political thing in my lifetime. The voluntary sacrifice of British influence in Europe is incredible. It will be a disaster, particularly for the younger generation.”

Peter Topping, leader of South Cambridgeshire District Council, said Lord Michael’s words were “wise and inspiring”.

“Hezza on excellent form,” he wrote on Twitter. “Inspiring and wise. Pushed on need for support for business and public sector reform.”

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